Workshop 1. Clan Childlaw

“Lawyers for young people – protecting the rights of children & young people and making sure their voices are heard”

Through an in depth discussion of case studies this workshop focused on the following:

1. when a lawyer can assist a child or young person to make sure their voice is heard
2. a child centred approach to representation
3. examples of the impact and benefits of legal representation for young people

Workshop Slides

W: https://www.clanchildlaw.org/

T: @clanchildlaw

Workshop 2. National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)

“Innovative engagement: young people centred practice”

This workshop highlighted NDCS’ innovative young people centred model of inclusion, practice and participation from the perspective of a deaf young person.  The workshop will be facilitated by NDCS staff and a deaf young person and will illustrate how the needs of deaf young people are central to the charity’s services and delivery.

W: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/

T: @NDCS_Scotland

Useful Links:

• The Buzz – Made by and for deaf young people 
• NDCS

Workshop 3. Participatory City Foundation

“Designing participation systems around people, not institutions”

The workshop explored the processes for designing participation systems around people, not institutions:

1. How it works
2. Why it’s worth doing
3. Why it’s good for tackling complex problems.
4. Why it’s good for specific groups of people

W: http://www.participatorycity.org/

T: @ParticipatoryC

Workshop 4. SCOREscotland (Strengthening Communities for Race Equality Scotland)

“Anti-racist practice & improving services in the third sector”

This workshop explored the following:

1. How can third sector organisations break down barriers to participation/engagement
2. What does providing an inclusive, accessible service mean
3. How can Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voices be integrated into service design and delivery

Workshop Slides

W: https://www.scorescotland.org.uk/

T: @SCOREscotland

Workshop 5. Workers Educational Association (WEA)

“Journaling for Wellbeing Taster”

Explore what journaling for wellbeing is and begin to experience its benefits through trying some creative journaling exercises. Please bring a pen/pencil and something to write on to this session.

Journalling Toolkit

W: https://www.wea.org.uk/

T: @WEAadulted

Click through for a round up of Twitter activity around the conference

We asked our delegates how they felt at the end of the event and what actions they planned to take – here’s what they shared

Discussion Board – “For the people we support to THRIVE, they need…”

Discussion Board – “For organisations to THRIVE, they need…”

Discussion Board – “We can help each other THRIVE by…”

 

Video – Board Relationships: How to make the most of them– A conversation between Maureen McGinn and Carolyn Sawers 

Video – Community Conversations in Carbrain 

Corra Foundation ‘Getting Alongside Communities’ – check out the annual updates from the nine communities! 

Social-Action-during-the-Coronavirus-Pandemic-Report – Learning from the crisis to help build forward better 

Planning in uncertainty_IVAR 

Managing Capacity_The Lasting Difference 

Emotional Wellbeing Marie Claire Donnelly 

‘Thriving in the future’ spotify playlist 

Agenda

Welcome – Judith Turbyne, CEO Children in Scotland, and Corra Board Member 

Jude Turbyne became a trustee of Corra in 2018. Most of her professional life was spent working in the charity sector, primarily international development. For much of that time she worked in Latin America and the Caribbean with Christian Aid, ultimately managing at regional level. She returned to Scotland to become Head of Engagement with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) before joining Children in Scotland as CEO. Judith has studied in Edinburgh and Bath, culminating in a PhD looking at empowerment in development. 

@JudithTurbyne

Chair – Justina Murray, CEO, SFAD 

Justina Murray is CEO of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, a national charity which supports anyone concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use. Justina joined Scottish Families in June 2017, and was previously the Chief Officer of South West Scotland Community Justice Authority, a devolved public body tasked with working in partnership to reduce reoffending. Prior to this she was the Coordinator of North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, following on from roles in public policy, equal employment opportunities and research in Scotland and New Zealand.  She has a PhD in social policy from the University of Glasgow, based on an exploratory study of models of empowerment in eight Scottish community development projects. Justina is on the board of North Ayrshire Women’s Aid and the executive governance group for the Children’s and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) at the University of Strathclyde. 

@ceosfad

Keynote Address – Clare Haughey – Minister for Children and Young People, Scottish Government 

Clare Haughey MSP was previously the Scottish Government’s Minister for Mental Health and more recently became the Minister for Children and Young People in May 2021.  Claire has represented the Rutherglen constituency since her election in 2016.  Born and raised in Rutherglen, Clare is a mental health nurse with over thirty years’ experience.  For the past fifteen, she has specialised in perinatal mental health and helped set up Scotland’s first Mother and Baby Unit in Glasgow in 2004 as clinical nurse manager.  Clare was also previously a divisional convenor in UNISON. 

@haughey_clare

Keynote Speaker – Ruth Ibegbuna – CEO and Founder, Roots Programme, Rekindle School 

Ruth Ibegbuna was the founding CEO of RECLAIM, an award-winning social action and youth leadership programme with a focus on working-class young people being seen, being heard and leading change. Prior to this, Ruth was a senior teacher in a South Manchester state school and supported young people in obtaining some of the best GCSE results in the country, for 3 consecutive years. 

Ruth was named Manchester Peace Activist of the Year 2008 and received the Manchester City Council Women’s award for Outstanding Contribution 2009. Ruth was also awarded the 2011 National Business in the Communities award for best collaboration with business to benefit society. Ruth was a member of the Independent Commission on Youth Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. The Commission brought forward strategic proposals for the sustainable reform of relevant services for children and young people, including the youth justice system. She was a 2013 Clore Social Fellow and is an Ashoka UK Fellow, and wrote ‘On Youth’ to showcase the stories of five working-class young people. 

Ruth was listed in The Sunday Times as one of the 500 most influential people in the UK, in The Debrett’s 500 in 2016. She was also listed by Virgin and Ashoka as one of the top six female change makers internationally. 

Ruth’s latest venture is the Roots Programme, a radical cultural exchange programme for influencers from hugely different backgrounds, as well as for young people from state and private schools, to create a more compassionate, curious and united UK.

Panel Session: Increasing inclusion and participation will help the sector to thrive

Linda Craik, End Poverty Edinburgh

Linda Craik is a former Civil Servant and for the last 6 years has been a full-time carer to family members.  Linda is a member of End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of citizens who have lived experience of poverty.  She believes that everyone, regardless of their backgrounds/situations, should be able to get the help they need, without being judged and stigmatized.  By being part of EPE Linda wants to ensure that poverty in Edinburgh is no longer accepted as a normal part of our society and that those who are struggling are treated fairly and allowed to retain their self-respect and dignity.

Lucy McKee, Ambassador, ENABLE Scotland 

Lucy McKee is an active campaigner, leader and ambassador within ENABLE Scotland . Lucy became involved with Enable as a teenager, and was soon elected chair of ACE Youth ( ENABLE’s member led network of young people who campaign for an equal society for people who have a learning disability)  

As well as her outstanding contribution as an ACE Youth member and chair, in 2021, Lucy has joined the ENABLE Scotland Staff team in the role of Membership ambassador. Alongside her colleagues, Lucy’s dedication and commitment has resulted in a marked growth of the membership of ENABLE Scotland. Her articulation of views on issues that are relevant to all people but in particular young people who have a learning disability is always engaging and thought provoking.  

Jan Savage, Director, ENABLE Scotland 

Jan has responsibility for ENABLE Scotland Charity within the ENABLE Group. Through her leadership, the team delivers charity services, including membership services for a growing network of 12,000 individuals, campaigns, policy and participation, and community advocacy projects which directly support over 1100 people every year. Her previous experience over two decades in public affairs, campaigning and charity service delivery, including roles at the Scottish Parliament and running a disabled children’s charity, help ensure ENABLE Scotland advocates effectively for everyone who has a learning disability in Scotland.

@Jan_Enable

Pervin Ahmad, Strategic Development Manager, Saheliya 

Pervin has over 20 years’ experience leading strategy, policy, practice and service development with the aim of supporting the needs and participation of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women. She is passionate about fighting against the multi-facets of racial and gender-based inequality and resulting discrimination and abuse faced by women; she has served as a trustee on three different charity boards and provided strategic management for organisations serving vulnerable communities. She has also been the instigator in starting-up and developing several successful women-led social enterprises over the years.

Adama Sillah, Saheliya Volunteer and Board Member

Adama is originally from the Gambia and is very passionate about volunteering. Adama is currently the Treasurer on Saheliya’s board of trustees and also volunteers in the office three days a week. Adama also volunteers as a community connector, working with people from the BAME community to educate them about the importance of participating in school activities. Adama is looking forward to sharing research she was involved in, looking at barriers to parental engagement in education, in particular, “How anxiety prevents parents from refugee communities in participating in parent Council meetings”.

 

Workshops  – Delivered with thanks by our (wonderful) Third sector partners

 

Claire Osborne, Solicitor, CLAN Childlaw 

 

Claire joined Clan in October 2019 as a solicitor. She regularly represents Children and Young People at Children’s Hearings and Court Hearings. In addition, she works with vulnerable clients, including unaccompanied asylum seeking children and victims of human trafficking. Claire is currently a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Access to Justice Committee. She is passionate about social justice and human rights, particularly children’s rights. 

Jenna Hall, Solicitor, CLAN Childlaw 

 

Jenna joined Clan in 2017 via the Justice First Fellowship, a scheme set up to establish the next generation of social welfare lawyers. Jenna currently works as a solicitor representing Children and Young People at Children’s Hearings and Court Hearings. In addition, she works with vulnerable clients through our Scottish Care Leavers Law Service and our various housing projects. Jenna has a particular interest in the rights of young people leaving care and the impact of youth homelessness. 

Lucy Armstrong, Participation Officer, NDCS 

 

Lucy has been involved in Participation for 10 years now, from the ages of 13-18 she was a member of youth councils, young people’s advisory board and as young trustee. At the age of 18 Lucy became a freelance Participation consultant and after finishing her degree in 2020 became a full time Participation Officer at the National Deaf Children’s Society. Lucy loves being able to support turn lived experience into meaningful participation in policy and campaigns especially! 

Maddie, Young Inspector, NDCS 

 

Maddie is 17 and from Scotland. For the last few years she has been involved in the National Deaf Children’s Society young campaigner group in Scotland. Last summer however she decided to jump across to the Young Inspectors program and take her activism to the next level. Mental health is a topic that Maddie is passionate about and as a young inspector she was able to focus on how mental health services could improve for deaf young people. Next for Maddie is her journey to university to study psychology.

Nat Defriend, Participatory City Foundation 

 

Nat started his career in front-line criminal jusice services with adults and youth – beginning as a volunteer and developing into an experienced practioner and manager. He then spent 8 years in central government, leading system-change and effective practice initiatives in the youth justice system. 

Before joining Participatory City Foundation Nat worked at The Young Foundation as Director of Communities, running a programme of city, and region based initiatives to tackle social inequality through community-led innovation. Nat is passionate about grass-roots and community led social change, and brings skills in community engagement and organising, impact evaluation, social innovaton and venture development and public and third sector leadership. 

Jennifer Ba, SCOREscotland 

 

Jennifer is the Youth and Children’s Development Officer for Strengthening Communities for Race Equality Scotland (SCOREscotland) – a social justice, anti-racism organisation based in the heart of Wester Hailes, South West Edinburgh. SCOREscotland run a number of services targeted at the local black and minority ethnic communities ranging from youth work, digital inclusion and climate change focused projects  

 The aims of SCOREscotland’s youth work service are to reduce isolation, develop confidence and skills, as well as improve the mental health and well-being of young people. I am passionate about challenging racism and power-dynamics, as well as promoting equality of opportunity for BME people in Scotland. 

Keira McLean, Stained Glass Artist and Tutor, WEA 

 

Keira Is a Stained Glass Artist and WEA tutor. She works all over the UK but is based in Glasgow’s East End. For the past 2 years she has been developing Journaling courses for the WEA which she delivers online and through Canvas. Journaling has formed part of her own art practice for many years and she is happy to share her experience and techniques with learners. Keira has 13 years’ experience in community arts and as a commercial glass artist. She is currently working on a commission for the Stuart Christie memorial archive in London.